title: Complete chemoenzymatic synthesis of the Forssman antigen using novel glycosyltransferases identified in Campylobacter jejuni and Pasteurella multocida.
abstract: We have identified an alpha1,4-galactosyltransferase (CgtD) and a beta1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtE) in the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) locus of Campylobacter jejuni LIO87. Strains that carry these genes may have the capability of synthesizing mimics of the P blood group antigens of the globoseries glycolipids. We have also identified an alpha1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (Pm1138) from Pasteurella multocida Pm70, which is involved in the synthesis of an LOS-bound Forssman antigen mimic and represents the only known bacterial glycosyltransferase with this specificity. The genes encoding the three enzymes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble recombinant proteins that can be used to chemoenzymatically synthesize the Forssman antigen, and its biosynthetic precursors, in high yields.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, Canada.
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Houliston
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernatchez
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Karwaski
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mandrell
authors.forename: Harold C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Jarrell
authors.forename: Warren W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Wakarchuk
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005577:Forssman Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D016979:Pasteurella multocida / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005577:Forssman Antigen; D016695:Glycosyltransferases